Carl Kustell is concerned about a potential parking problem at Barrington Beach. 

The Barrington Town Council President said he has learned that on many weekends and holidays, non-residents are arriving early at the town beach, filling up dozens of parking spaces and staying all day long. 

Kustell said the resulting lack of available parking spaces has forced beach attendants to turn away Barrington residents who are looking to use the town beach. 

Kustell said a resident reached out to him directly about the parking issue at the beach. The Council president then contacted Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey to see if he had received any similar calls. Kustell said Hervey had also fielded a number of complaints.

Members of the Barrington Town Council will discuss the issue at their meeting on Monday night, July 22. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 7 p.m.

“I would love to have people tell us about their experiences,” Kustell said. 

With the additional testimony, Council members could then decide whether action is needed. Kustell said options include closing to the beach parking lot to non-residents on weekends and holidays, or increasing the parking fee for non-residents.

Barrington officials already bumped up the cost to purchase a non-resident parking pass earlier this year. Last summer, non-resident parking passes at Barrington Beach cost $10 on weekdays, weekends and holidays. This summer, non-resident parking passes cost $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and holidays.  

“I’m open to whatever solution fixes the problem,” Kustell said, adding that he would rather bar non-residents from parking at the town beach than increase parking fees. 

The Council president said any decision to change the parking rules at the town beach will take time to enact. He said an ordinance change would not correct parking issues facing Barrington residents this summer, as Council members would need to first introduce an ordinance change and then hold a public hearing for the possible change. 

Parking prices nearby

Barrington officials examined parking pass rates at other beaches in nearby towns before deciding to increase the non-resident fees at Barrington Beach. 

According to a town official, Warren charges $10 on weekdays and $20 on weekends for non-resident parking, while Bristol charges $20 on weekdays and $30 on weekends.